Receptacle locations for reach in coolers in a retail store.

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ElectricianPat

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La Mirada, CA.
Help! Does anyone have experience with providing power to reach in beverage coolers located in a retail store, or can someone point me to any applicable code citations that might apply? We have a situation where a university bookstore has installed 3 reach in beverage coolers (the ones that have a glass front door and shelves full of soda bottles inside), and now they are requesting power for them. The location where they intend to place the coolers is just wide enough to squeeze all three into, with no room to spare. The first contractor who was hired to provide power installed the 3 dedicated circuit receptacles on the wall behind the coolers, but up high so the plugs could be unplugged, without having to move the coolers (using a step stool to reach the receptacles.) His argument for this placement is that the plugs are required, by code, to be accessible. The bookstore and university management are in agreement that this installation looks ugly and are insisting that the receptacles be relocated to behind the coolers, which will require pulling the heavy (close to 400# when full of drinks) coolers out from the wall in order to unplug them for servicing. Management has read the Chapter 100 definitions for "accessible" and "accessible, readily" and disagree with the contractor's interpretation of these terms, and are asking for some code that backs the requirement for these receptacles to be located where they can be reached without moving the machines. Since this is not a commercial kitchen, the codes relating to refrigeration don't appear to apply here. Having come from a maintenance background, I am inclined to think that having the receptacles located where the equipment can easily be unplugged for maintenance is helpful, but I'm having trouble coming up with code to back keeping the receptacles accessible.
 
A receptacle can be accessible even if it is very hard to get at.
You don't have to move any part of the building finish!
It would not be "readily accessible" so you could not put a GFCI receptacle there.

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If you are installing GFCI receptacles the code will not allow them behind the machines.

If you install regular receptacles and provide GFCI protection at the panel the receptacles can be behind the machines.
 
GoldDigger said:
A receptacle can be accessible even if it is very hard to get at.
You don't have to move any part of the building finish!
It would not be "readily accessible" so you could not put a GFCI receptacle there.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
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That was my thinking, but was unsure if additional requirements existed for access to disconnecting means (plug) for this type of equipment.
 
iwire said:
If you are installing GFCI receptacles the code will not allow them behind the machines.

If you install regular receptacles and provide GFCI protection at the panel the receptacles can be behind the machines.
Click to expand...


Since this is an indoor location, that is not a kitchen, no one is even talking about GFCI protection, and since I absolutely HATE GFCI receptacles, we would be supplying that protection (if needed) using GFCI breakers anyway.

I think the real question here is really going to be an electrical maintenance / safety one. Without GFCI receptacles that need to be accessed in order to reset, the primary function of a plug-connected setup is to provide a disconnecting means for when the cooler needs to be repaired. Usually unplugging the power cord of cord-connected equipment meets the safety requirements relating to energy control when working on the equipment, but since these coolers are each on dedicated circuits, the fact that it will be near impossible to unplug them, whenever maintenance needs to be done, is (in my opinion) less of an issue since the power can be shut off using the dedicated circuit breaker, and a LOTO device applied at that point for energy control. Does that sound reasonable? Normally I'd get the AHJ to weigh in, but he's never encountered this situation before and is letting us do whatever we decide.
 
ElectricianPat said:
Since this is an indoor location, that is not a kitchen, no one is even talking about GFCI protection, and since I absolutely HATE GFCI receptacles, we would be supplying that protection (if needed) using GFCI breakers anyway.
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Are they vending machines or just coolers?

If they are vending machines GFCIs are required regarless of location unless the machine has one built into the cord.





ElectricianPat said:
the primary function of a plug-connected setup is to provide a disconnecting means for when the cooler needs to be repaired. Usually unplugging the power cord of cord-connected equipment meets the safety requirements relating to energy control when working on the equipment, but since these coolers are each on dedicated circuits, the fact that it will be near impossible to unplug them, whenever maintenance needs to be done, is (in my opinion) less of an issue since the power can be shut off using the dedicated circuit breaker, and a LOTO device applied at that point for energy control. Does that sound reasonable? Normally I'd get the AHJ to weigh in, but he's never encountered this situation before and is letting us do whatever we decide.
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In my opinion you are overthinking this.


Put the receptacles behind the machines like it is done in a million locations and be done with it. Those that service the machines should have the ability to move them.

Code wise this is no different than the receptacle behind your home refrigerator or entertainment center.
 
iwire said:
Are they vending machines or just coolers?If they are vending machines GFCIs are required regarless of location unless the machine has one built into the cord.

That horse has been beaten here before.
All kinds of "what ifs" thrown out there.......




In my opinion you are overthinking this.
Agreed.


Put the receptacles behind the machines like it is done in a million locations and be done with it. Those that service the machines should have the ability to move them.

Code wise this is no different than the receptacle behind your home refrigerator or entertainment center.
Click to expand...
Yep
 
iwire said:
Are they vending machines or just coolers?

If they are vending machines GFCIs are required regarless of location unless the machine has one built into the cord.
.
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The breaker feeding the outlet can be the disconnecting means.

The GFCI in the cord would still need to be readily accessible.

Can you just put up something decorative to hide the cord and plug?
 
dkidd said:
The breaker feeding the outlet can be the disconnecting means.

The GFCI in the cord would still need to be readily accessible.

Can you just put up something decorative to hide the cord and plug?
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all are overthinking this.

just relocate the outlet box so that the top edge of box is at same height as top egde of the fridge, this way you can easily use plug and it will not be seen. done.
 
FionaZuppa said:
all are overthinking this.

just relocate the outlet box so that the top edge of box is at same height as top egde of the fridge, this way you can easily use plug and it will not be seen. done.
Click to expand...

Unless the fridge is shorter than the viewer.
 
FionaZuppa said:
all are overthinking this.

just relocate the outlet box so that the top edge of box is at same height as top egde of the fridge, this way you can easily use plug and it will not be seen. done.
Click to expand...

So in your own home you have relocated all the outlets that would have been behind furniture and appliances?
 
iwire said:
So in your own home you have relocated all the outlets that would have been behind furniture and appliances?
Click to expand...

Never know with them. I once worked with a guy who checked all his floor and table lamps and rotated the prongs so that the shells were connected to the neutral. :happyyes:
 
ElectricianPat said:
... (using a step stool to reach the receptacles.) .....
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dkidd said:
Unless the fridge is shorter than the viewer.
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well, he did say a step stool was needed ;)

use the noggin, its a "concept" folks, you mount the outlet high enough for ez access (for install of unit purposes), but low enough to hide it. <-- apply the concept, problem solved. just use a piece of your fav electrical tape on the wall and test before relocating outlet. although still not sure what type of upper clearance there is to reach up/over the top of the unit to push the plug in.
 
dkidd said:
The breaker feeding the outlet can be the disconnecting means.

The GFCI in the cord would still need to be readily accessible.

Can you just put up something decorative to hide the cord and plug?
Click to expand...


The machines do not have GFCI in their cords, so there is nothing that needs to be accessed there.
We've already tried to convince the bookstore operator that they could simply hide the plugs behind a display or some plants.....they are not satisfied.
 
FionaZuppa said:
all are overthinking this.

just relocate the outlet box so that the top edge of box is at same height as top egde of the fridge, this way you can easily use plug and it will not be seen. done.
Click to expand...
Too easy of a solution, there must be something wrong with it.;)

I usually put the washer and dryer receptacles in dwellings just below the top of typical appliance height - that way it is hidden, yet not far down from the top and you can easily reach down to unplug it.

ElectricianPat said:
Since this is an indoor location, that is not a kitchen, no one is even talking about GFCI protection, and since I absolutely HATE GFCI receptacles, we would be supplying that protection (if needed) using GFCI breakers anyway.

I think the real question here is really going to be an electrical maintenance / safety one. Without GFCI receptacles that need to be accessed in order to reset, the primary function of a plug-connected setup is to provide a disconnecting means for when the cooler needs to be repaired. Usually unplugging the power cord of cord-connected equipment meets the safety requirements relating to energy control when working on the equipment, but since these coolers are each on dedicated circuits, the fact that it will be near impossible to unplug them, whenever maintenance needs to be done, is (in my opinion) less of an issue since the power can be shut off using the dedicated circuit breaker, and a LOTO device applied at that point for energy control. Does that sound reasonable? Normally I'd get the AHJ to weigh in, but he's never encountered this situation before and is letting us do whatever we decide.
Click to expand...
As far as service people - most of those type of units have very little that can be serviced without pulling the appliance out to gain access to the back, sides, or even the bottom. IMO for most repairs, the thing likely will need to be emptied and pulled out whether you unplug it first or not.
 
iwire said:
But the people who service commercial coolers should have the means to move them.
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its university bookstore. the units will likely move, or likely be swapped when the bookstore decides to switch from coke sponsor to pepsi sponsor (free lease on equipment).

anyways, a plug will make moving the unit easier if it needs to be moved a big distance to get to the back of the unit. and also no need to go hunt down panel to flip breaker and then lockout panel.

now, me guessing that the wire comes down from the top and not bottom up, if it comes from the top then moving the outlet down some may not be a cost effective option.

seems like two options are available for the bookstore

1) relocate the outlet lower
2) place some sort of hiding shield (board, drape, etc) on top of the coolers to hide the plugs, bookstore can attach their favorite banner ad
 
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